Crimes that inflict severe harm to innocent victims are considered serious offenses under both federal and state laws. These are given very heavy punishments, such as costly fines and many years of imprisonment (some are even given life sentences).

Examples of these serious offenses include treason or betrayal of one’s country, which is the most serious in the U.S., murder or the unlawful planned killing of another person, and sex crimes, such as rape, predatory sexual assault, sexual battery and sex offenses committed against a child.

Sexual battery, specifically, refers is any form of non-consensual or unwanted sexual contact or touching, without involving sexual intercourse or penetration (in some states, however, this crime is called criminal sexual penetration, rape, sexual assault, child molestation or indecency with a child, if the sexual contact is done to a minor. This type of sexual crime is also most often committed by someone who may be a relative, a dating partner, a classmate, a neighbor, an acquaintance, a co-worker, a friend, a family member, or even a spouse. While each state has its own statutes on sexual battery, the term/s used to refer to the crime also varies/vary from one state to another.

Contrary to what many think that sexual battery is motivated by sexual desire, the act is rather an aggressive attack and a violent crime that is aimed at humiliating, hurting and controlling the victim through sex (which is used as a means or weapon). In some states, if the crime is committed by someone over 17 years old to a victim below the age of 12, with the victim eventually sustaining injuries to the sexual organ as a result of the assault, then the crime is considered a capital felony, the sentence for which can be life imprisonment or death.

Sex crime defense lawyers know how serious it is to be accused of a sex offense. It can be a very challenging case to defend, especially is the authorities are biased, working hard to prove the guilt of the accused, failing to consider the possibility of his/her innocence. In a trial case, though all evidence may seem directed at convicting the accused, a very strong defense may turn the tide and result to an acquittal. However, this may be possible only with the help of a highly-competent sex crime defense lawyer.